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News in Brief

by Calum Fraser

MacLeod Escapes Doping Ban
Scotland Lock Scott MacLeod has been cleared by the SRU of illegal doping. The forward, capped 21 times, had tested with large amounts of testosterone in his system, however it was deemed this was the result of a heavy nights drinking after being told he was to become a father.

Students Feeling The Crunch
Increasing numbers of students are choosing their university based on the proximity to home a study carried out by the NUS has revealed. It is also shown that almost half of students spend equal time in paid jobs as working on their studies during term time in the report published today.

Search For Missing Lanarkshire Man
Fears are growing for a former taxi driver missing since November 16th. Police in the Wishaw area are stepping up the hunt Gerard Campbell, 54, stopping drivers in an effort to jog memories.

Government Cannabis Plans Criticised
Plans to upgrade Cannabis to a class B drug have been attacked by leading experts. The letter to The Guardian is signed by 10 influential Scientists and MPs amid fears the move would underplay dangers of existing class B drugs and could reverse a downward use of the drug.

The Hoosiers

More Big Names Added To Hogmanay Line-upThe Hoosiers and Friendly Fires have been added to Edinburgh’s Street Party line-up for new year. They join Glasvegas, Hot Chip, Broken Records, Paolo Nutini, and Groove Armada among others. Tickets have been doubled in price to bring in more big names after last year’s event failed to sell out.

Vitamin D Health Benefits Investigated
The Scottish Government is to look into the potential benefits of Vitamin D supplements at a conference held today. Vitmin D levels are twice as high in England as in Scotland, low levels of which has been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Arbroath Based Soldier Killed
Tributes were paid last night to a Royal Marine killed in an explosion in Southern Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the serviceman was serving with 45 Commando, based in Arbroath. 126 serving personnel have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001.

Proposal to ‘lease’ woodlands
Proposals have been made by the Scottish Government to lease more than a quarter of Scotland’s woodlands to commercial loggers for 75 years. It would be expected to raise £200million but the plans have been attacked by environmentalists.